DSpace Collection:

An interdisciplinary overview on biochar production engineering and its agronomic applications

2026-03-26T13:06:20Z

Title: An interdisciplinary overview on biochar production engineering and its agronomic applications Authors: Muema, Faith M.; Richardson, Yohan; Keita, Amadou; Sawadogo, Marie Abstract: Biochar is a porous, carbon-rich material derived from the thermochemical decomposition of biomass materials. Biochars are suitable soil amendments that enhance soil properties and improve crop productivity. Biochar agronomic impact in soils depends on its physiochemical properties. Recent research has shown that feedstock type and pyrolysis temperature are the key factors influencing biochar physiochemical properties. However, an in-depth understanding of the biochar-soil-plant co-relationship governing biochar agronomic performance still needs improvement. A comprehensive overview of the effect of biomass and pyrolysis temperature on biochar properties, mechanisms governing biochar-soil interactions impact on agronomic indices, the long-term effect of biochar, and the viability of large-scale biochar agricultural systems have been discussed. The mechanisms governing the impact of temperature and biomass properties on biochar agronomic properties are different for low temperature (<500 °C) and high temperature (>500 °C). The agronomic benefits of biochar are dependent on biochar-soil-plant interaction mechanisms. The economic and financial feasibility of large-scale production of biochar is case-specific and makes business sense when all co-pyrolysis products are recovered and sold. Understanding biochar-soil-plant-climate interaction mechanisms is key to designing biochars to address specific agronomic needs and requires an interdisciplinary and multiscale approach. Future studies should focus on long-term co-relationships among biochar physiochemical properties, soil conditions, climate, and farm management. Description: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biombioe.2024.107416

21 - Challenges and future prospects of coated fiber–reinforced polymer composites

2026-03-25T09:00:00Z

Title: 21 - Challenges and future prospects of coated fiber–reinforced polymer composites Authors: Atalie, Desalegn; Rotich, Gideon K. Abstract: Coated fiber–reinforced polymer (FRP) composites have attracted attention due to their superior mechanical properties and flexibility. Advances in coating-FRP are improving performance in areas such as interfacial bonding, environmental resistance, and multifunctionality. However, there are still issues in attaining uniform coating thickness, adherence, and long-term durability. This review briefly discusses the current research on coated FRP composites, focusing on recent advancements, preparation techniques, properties, current challenges, and future prospects. Description: DOI:10.1016/B978-0-443-22029-6.00023-X

systems for green energy growth in Garoua, Cameroon: From techno-economic and social models to policies

2026-03-11T07:17:16Z

Title: systems for green energy growth in Garoua, Cameroon: From techno-economic and social models to policies Authors: Megaptche, Christelle A.; Waita, Sebastian; Kim, Hanki; Musau, Peter M.; Aduda, Bernard O. Abstract: Access to reliable electricity is one key to a country’s economic development. However, almost 46 % of Cameroonians don’t have access to electricity. The present study employs Multi-Objective Genetic Algorithm (MOGA) and Cuckoo Search (CS) optimization methods to investigate a thorough analysis of various hybrid renewable energy system (HRES) configurations, such as Photovoltaic – Wind turbine – Battery (PV-WT-BT), Photovoltaic –Wind turbine – Power-to-Hydrogen-to-Fuel Cell (PV-WT-P2H2FC), and Photovoltaic – Wind turbine – Battery – Power-to-Hydrogen-to-Fuel Cell (PV-WT-BT-P2H2FC) functioning as a mini-grid to supply electricity to a community in Garoua, Cameroon. Techno-economic and social assessments are covered in the analysis, highlighting each configuration’s merits and drawbacks. Key findings emphasize the critical role of visual tools like Sankey diagrams in comprehending complex energy systems and the importance of energy storage efficiency for overall system performance. The PV-WT-BT-P2H2FC configuration, optimized with MOGA, emerges as a promising option, achieving a remarkable balance between maximizing system efficiency (system efficiency = 72.91 %) and assuring system reliability (loss of power supply probability = 0.4457 %). Nonetheless, this configuration has proven to be cost-prohibitive, primarily attributable to the efficiencies of the electrolyzers and fuel cells. Economic evaluations reveal varying costs among configurations and optimization methods with battery storage as a cost driver, making PV-WT-BT with CS optimization the most economical configuration (cost of energy = 0.0727 $/kWh). Sensitivity analysis of cost highlighting the impact of improved electrolyzer and fuel cell efficiencies on the cost-effectiveness of PV-WT-P2H2FC and PV-WT-BT-P2H2FC configurations. The study also underlines the significance of HRES in improving social metrics like the Human Development Index (HDI) and Job Creation (JC), with hydrogen storage demonstrating substantial potential for green job development. Ultimately, this research offers actionable policy recommendations to promote sustainable energy adoption and creates opportunities for future developments in renewable energy technologies in Garoua, Cameroon. Description: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2024.118804

Evaluation of the hybrid improved genetic algorithm-improved particle swarm optimization on benchmark functions for optimization of FACTS

2026-03-10T11:53:42Z

Title: Evaluation of the hybrid improved genetic algorithm-improved particle swarm optimization on benchmark functions for optimization of FACTS Authors: Ngei, Urbanus M.; Nyete, Abraham M.; Musau, Peter M.; Wekesa, Cyrus Abstract: Flexible AC Transmission Systems (FACTS) technology finds applications in both power transmission and distribution systems. However, due to the high initial cost attached to FACTS devices, it is necessary to optimally size and locate them – what is known as the FACTS Optimization Problem (FOP). Choosing an efficient algorithm for FOP is critical, and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) have previously been applied. PSO and GA are known to converge slowly and can stagnate at local minima. To address these shortcomings, enhancements are introduced to improve GA and PSO. The improved versions of PSO and GA are then hybridized to create an effective algorithm named as Improved Genetic Algorithm-Improved Particle Swarm Optimization (IGA-IPSO). The proposed method was tested on 13 standard benchmark functions, 4 CEC 2020 test functions, and two engineering design problems before being applied to solve the FOP. The results were compared with those from other algorithms, namely: PSO, GA, PSO-GA, Grey Wolf Optimizer (GWO), Firefly Algorithm (FA), Quasi-Oppositional Chaotic Symbiotic Organisms Search (QOCSOS) and Multi-Verse Optimization (MVO). IGA-IPSO outperformed its peers and showed superior global search capabilities on 13 benchmark functions, achieving a top Friedman rank of 1.2308. Further, IGA-IPSO proved its fast convergence by achieving the lowest average execution time of 1.8527 s across the 13 benchmark functions, compared to GA-PSO (4.0083 s), PSO (4.5632 s), and GA (5.1059 s). The superior performance by IGA-IPSO was replicated when solving the other test problems. The proposed method was then applied to optimize Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM) location and size on the IEEE 33-, 69-, and 118-bus test systems, resulting in power loss reductions by 21.09 %, 43.34 % and 8.08 % respectively. The voltage profiles were also improved. Distribution system operators can benefit from the proposed method as it offers an effective technique for optimally sizing and placing FACTS devices within power networks to reduce power losses and improve voltage profiles. Description: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2025.105787